Yunseo Chung is a 21-year-old junior at Columbia University who has been residing in the United States since she was seven years old, following her family’s immigration from South Korea. She has been involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus since 2023.
In early March 2025, she was arrested during a protest advocating for student activists facing disciplinary actions by the university. Subsequently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiated deportation proceedings against her, citing concerns over her participation in these protests.
Chung’s legal team argues that these actions infringe upon her First Amendment rights, labeling the government’s efforts as an “unprecedented and unjustifiable assault” on her freedoms. They also suggest that this case is part of a broader pattern targeting pro-Palestinian activists within academic institutions.
Chung’s situation mirrors that of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student who was arrested earlier in March under similar circumstances. Both cases have intensified concerns among international students at Columbia University regarding potential repercussions for engaging in politically sensitive activities.
The legal proceedings involving Chung are ongoing, with her legal team seeking to prevent her deportation and challenge the actions of federal authorities. These developments have sparked discussions about the balance between national security interests and the protection of free speech and protest rights within the United States.